MONTE PLATA, D.R. – As part of its Blindness Prevention program in the Dominican Republic, the Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is partnering, once again, with the Student Volunteer Optometrists for Service of Humanity of the New England College of Optometry—SVOSH-NECO to bring 22 students and faculty to deliver eye care to 1500 children and adults with severe eye problems, in need of a pair of glasses, and who live in extreme poverty.

In its sixth-year of intervention in the bateyes, the SVOSH-NECO mission, co-sponsored by the Lions Club Arroyo Hondo Santo Domingo, will take place from April 10th through the 17th inside batey Gonzalo, province of Monte Plata. “Hundreds are expected to travel far away and all over to take advantage of this once-in-a-life-time opportunity to check or treat their vision and receive a pair of eyeglasses—all free of charge,” said Ulrick Gaillard, BRA’s CEO. The SVOSH-NECO is fully-equipped and self-sufficient, and will travel with sophisticated equipment, thousands of dollars in medicines, eye drops, eyeglasses and supplies.

Gaillard added that patients who need follow-up or specialized care or custom-made eyeglasses will be referred to BRA’s medical center located inside Batey Cinco in Monte Plata where complete optometric and ophthalmological care is provided to hundreds in each year.